A 35-year-old woman, Keyonna Waddell, was convicted for detonating a homemade stick of dynamite at her sleeping boyfriend, leading to the loss of his hand. The incident occurred following a heated argument between the couple. Waddell had previously threatened to use the explosive on her boyfriend, but he never anticipated her following through with the threat.

In March 2024, Waddell tossed the dynamite into her boyfriend’s room while he was asleep. Upon awakening to a hissing noise, he attempted to extinguish the flame but was unsuccessful. As he grabbed the explosive to discard it outside, it detonated, causing severe damage to his hand. In distress, he sought help outside as Waddell fled the scene.

Emergency services rushed the injured boyfriend to Nassau University Medical Center in New York, where his hand was amputated due to the extent of the injuries. Waddell was apprehended by law enforcement the next day and subsequently found guilty of assault and multiple charges related to illegal possession of weapons by the Suffolk County District Attorney.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney highlighted the seriousness of domestic violence, emphasizing the potential for such situations to turn fatal. The district attorney commended the efforts of prosecutors and law enforcement in ensuring accountability for Waddell’s actions, noting that she faces a substantial prison sentence at her upcoming court appearance on May 27.

The prosecution of Waddell is being handled by Assistant District Attorneys Dana Castaldo and Jacob DeLauter, with investigative support from Detective John Caraccia of the Suffolk County Police Department’s First Squad, along with assistance from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Research Analysts Thomas Kolacki and Brooke Baade.